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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

The so-called "419" scam is a type of fraud dominated by criminals from Nigeria and other countries in Africa. Victims of the scam are promised a large amount of money, such as a lottery prize, inheritance, money sitting in some bank account, etc.

Victims never receive this non-existent fortune but are tricked into sending their money to the criminals, who remain anonymous. They hide their real identity and location by using fake names and fake postal addresses as well as communicating via anonymous free email accounts and mobile phones.

Keep in mind that scammers DO NOT use their real names when defrauding people.
The criminals either abuse names of real people or companies or invent names or addresses.
Any real people or companies mentioned below have NO CONNECTION to the scammers!

Read more about such scams here or in our 419 FAQ. Use the Scam-O-Matic to verify suspect emails.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

 

 

Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

Fraud email example:

From: "Jim Fregossi" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <jfregrossi333@rediffmail.com>
Date: Mon, 11 Jul 2011 03:06:17 -0700
Subject: re: IMPORTANT OK

"I HOPE THIS MESSAGE GET'S TO RIGHT PERSON?"
 
From: Mr. Jim Fregossi
Inspection Officer
Heathrow International Airport The British Airport Authority (BAA).
sir,
I am the Director Inspection Unit United Nations Inspection Agent in Heathrow International Airport The British Airport Authority (BAA). During my recent visit to Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta International Airport United States, I discovered an abandoned shipment of two Metal Trunk Box from United Kingdom. The details of the trunk(consignments) included your name with an official document from the United Nation office in London tagged on the Metal Trunk boxes.
Under the ship forwarder examination facility here in United States, the shippers did not insure your consignment, and from the scan conducted, it revealed an undisclosed sum of money in the trunks weighing approximately 110kg (Internal dimension: W61 x H156 x D73 (cm). Effective capacity: 680 L.) approximately each of the boxes will contain more than $5 to $6M each
On my assumption, it is either that you the consignee did not properly declared the content of the consignment to avoid diversion by the Shipping Agent, or the Diplomat inability to pay for Non Inspection Fees to the shipping company.
The Hartsfield Jackson Aiport authorties recently orderd the return of the consignments to Hethrow International Airport UK in our storage house till I finish my investigation with the shipping Company, Courier Dispatch Service Limited a division of Tran Guard Ltd UK.
I am done with my investigation, and honestly want to aid you some personal assistance to insure the consignment and pay for the Non inspection fee and possibly arrange for the trunks to be moved out of this Airport to your address. I will deploy the services of a secured shipping Company geared to provide the security it needs to your doorstep, or I can bring it by myself to avoid any more trouble. But you will offer me 30% of whatever amount inside the boxes.
I can get everything concluded within 3-6 hours upon your acceptance and proceed for the delivery. But I must get assurance from you concerning my 30% and that the confidentiality of my position must be protected before I will proceed. You should provide your Phone Number full address, name of nearest Airport around and other details or disregard. You can send the required details to me for onward delivery.
All communication must be held extremely confidential. If you assure me of my 30% and agreed with my condition, you should contact me.
I await to hear from you.
Mr. Jim Fregossi
Inspection Officer

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